The influence of type of information, somatization, and locus of control on attitude, knowledge, and compliance with respect to the triphasic oral contraceptive Tri-Minulet.

The possibility of improving attitude, knowledge, and compliance with respect to the oral contraceptive (OC) Tri-Minulet (Wyeth, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands) by supplying brochures and information on audiotape was studied in 1239 healthy women, aged between 15 and 45. One group was orally informed, a second group additionally received brochures, and a third group received, in addition to the above two, information on audiotape. At baseline and after the first and third cycle, OC-attitude, missed pill handling, and compliance were assessed. Somatization and locus of control were also assessed. Knowledge of the medical advantages of the pill was increased by the audiotape and the compliance by the combination of brochures and audiotape. The brochures alone and in combination with tape improved the knowledge of how to handle missed pills. In somatizers and externals, who particularly showed a poor knowledge and a negative pill-attitude, this knowledge was increased by the combination of brochures and tape.